Nothing is Impossible with God, Saturday, October 29

Today's reading is Luke 1:5-2:38 and Matthew 1:18-25b.  My commentary speaks on the awesome fulfillment of prophesy:

"Jesus is to be born in Judea approximately 747 years after the foundation of Rome.  Now in the time of Herod the Great, who has been granted title "King of the Jews" by the Roman senate under Emperor Caesar Augustus, the former land of Palestine is divided into the provinces of Judea, Samaria, and Galilee to the west of the Jordan River, and Perea and Decapolis to the east.  The cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem are both in Judea, while Nazareth is in Galilee.  That Jesus is born in the province of Judea is surprising because his family's home is in Nazareth, some 75 miles north.  But, due to a decree by Caesar Augustus requiring everyone to return to his own city, Jesus' birth takes place in Bethlehem--the very city named by the prophet Micah over 700 years earlier!"
 

It is notable that Elizabeth's disgrace -- her inability to bear children -- and Mary's disgrace -- her pregnancy before marriage -- are in direct opposition to each other.  And yet, they both bring glory to God!